detroit waterhttp://michiganradio.org
enDetroit water system approves rate hikeshttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-water-system-approves-rate-hikes
<p>Bills are headed up for customers of the state’s largest water system, after Detroit’s regional board of water commissioners approved rate hikes today.</p><p>Commission chair James Fausone says the system’s budget will stay about the same, but it has revenue requirements to meet — and customers have been using less water in recent, wet years.</p><p>Thu, 12 Mar 2015 00:54:47 +0000Sarah Cwiek21315 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit water system approves rate hikesDetroit water shutoffs to continue through winterhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-water-shutoffs-continue-through-winter
<p>DETROIT (AP) - Cold weather will slow water shutoffs in Detroit, but not halt a nearly yearlong push to collect on past due accounts.</p><p></p>Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:39:00 +0000The Associated Press19906 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit water shutoffs to continue through winterUN representatives hear Detroit's water grievanceshttp://michiganradio.org/post/un-representatives-hear-detroits-water-grievances
<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;"><p>Members of the United Nations Human Rights Commission heard testimony in Detroit this week from citizens who are struggling to secure affordable water and housing.</p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Nicole Hill is a </span>Detroiter<span style="font-size: 13px;"> who has had her water shut off twice this year. Hill says the water department tells her she owes more than $6,000 — a number she vigorously disputes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">“I have asked for a hearing, and I was told that I could possibly get a hearing date sometime in 2015,” she said.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">For Mignon Jennings, the cost of her water bill has put her in danger of losing her Detroit home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">“$3,000 for a water bill for one year? That’s ludicrous. That’s crazy. And I believe something needs to be done.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The UN panel has criticized Detroit’s policy of cutting water service to people with delinquent bills.</span></p><p>Panel members issued recommendations on the situation Monday. They also met with Mayor Mike Duggan.</p><p>Duggan's chief of staff, Alexis Wiley, defended the administration's response to the water shutoffs, pointing out that the number of customers on payment plans has almost doubled to about 33,000 since Duggan announced his 10-point plan on dealing with them in August.</p><p>Wiley said the meeting was unproductive. "Unfortunately, it became clear shortly into the meeting that the UN representatives had reached their conclusions and prepared their recommendations before the meeting had even begun," she said in a statement, that also accused the UN of singling out Detroit for criticism of a "standard practice among utilities."</p>Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:03:29 +0000Sarah Cwiek19557 at http://michiganradio.orgUN representatives hear Detroit's water grievancesUN team says Detroit water shutoff program violates human rightshttp://michiganradio.org/post/un-team-says-detroit-water-shutoff-program-violates-human-rights
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29697767">A United Nations team </a>says the city of Detroit is <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/08/01/337145827/a-right-or-a-privilege-detroit-residents-split-over-water-shut-offs">violating human rights</a> by shutting off water to those who can’t pay their bills.</p><p></p><p>Some 27, 000 customers have had their water cut off during the first nine months of 2014. Detroit launched the water shutoff program as part of efforts to deal with the city’s financial problems. &nbsp;</p><p></p>Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:59:19 +0000Steve Carmody19565 at http://michiganradio.orgUN team says Detroit water shutoff program violates human rightsWater shutoffs, Detroit Public School’s emergency manager, and campaign trail updates http://michiganradio.org/post/water-shutoffs-detroit-public-school-s-emergency-manager-and-campaign-trail-updates
<p>This Week in Michigan Politics, Emily Fox and Jack Lessenberry discuss Detroit’s water shutoffs, Detroit Public School’s emergency manager and updates from the campaign trail.</p><p></p><p>Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:57:02 +0000Emily Fox & Jack Lessenberry19319 at http://michiganradio.orgJudge’s ruling doesn’t mean he was unsympathetic to those facing water shutoffshttp://michiganradio.org/post/judge-s-ruling-doesn-t-mean-he-was-unsympathetic-those-facing-water-shutoffs
<p></p><p>I once knew an opinion pollster who told me he could usually determine how anyone was going to vote without ever asking who they were going to vote for.</p><p>He did this by asking a series of litmus-test type questions about someone’s life, background and beliefs.</p><p>If you were a single mom with limited income, for example, that probably indicated you were a Democrat – unless you were a fundamentalist Christian. White professional male with a six-figure income?&nbsp; Likely Republican if in business, for example. But probably not if he is a nonreligious professor.</p><p>Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:05:34 +0000Jack Lessenberry19303 at http://michiganradio.orgJudge’s ruling doesn’t mean he was unsympathetic to those facing water shutoffsJudge rules there's no guaranteed right to Detroit water service without paying billshttp://michiganradio.org/post/judge-rules-theres-no-guaranteed-right-detroit-water-service-without-paying-bills
<p></p><p>Water shutoffs to Detroiters who haven't paid their bills are not going to stop.</p><p>That's the result of a ruling today by federal bankruptcy judge Stephen Rhodes.</p><p>Michigan Radio's Detroit reporter Sarah Cwiek says this ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Detroit residents and activists who wanted Judge Rhodes to issue a six-month moratorium on the controversial water shutoffs.</p><p>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 22:49:01 +0000Stateside Staff19294 at http://michiganradio.orgJudge rules there's no guaranteed right to Detroit water service without paying billsSecond day of testimony on Detroit water shutoffs; judge will rule on moratorium Mondayhttp://michiganradio.org/post/second-day-testimony-detroit-water-shutoffs-judge-will-rule-moratorium-monday
<p>Judge Steven Rhodes said he'll rule next Monday whether to put a temporary halt to Detroit's controversial water shutoffs.</p><p>Witness testimony continued in federal bankruptcy court Tuesday with hearings to determine the fate of that policy.</p><p>A coalition of Detroit residents and advocacy groups filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s controversial shutoff policy on constitutional and civil rights grounds.</p>Tue, 23 Sep 2014 19:38:25 +0000Sarah Cwiek19218 at http://michiganradio.orgSecond day of testimony on Detroit water shutoffs; judge will rule on moratorium MondayDetroit approves new regional water authorityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-approves-new-regional-water-authority
<p>The Detroit City Council has approved the city’s participation in the Great Lakes Water Authority.</p><p>The city of Detroit currently owns and operates most of southeast Michigan’s regional water system.</p><p>The 40-year deal lets the city retain ownership of all the water system’s assets, and Detroit keep control of day-to-day operations within city limits.</p><p>But a new Great Lakes Water Authority takes control of operations outside the city. It will lease the regional assets for $50 million a year.</p>Sat, 20 Sep 2014 00:57:38 +0000Sarah Cwiek19183 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit approves new regional water authorityPetition aims to stop water shutoffs in Detroithttp://michiganradio.org/post/petition-aims-stop-water-shutoffs-detroit
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">A group in Detroit hopes that 158,000 signatures will be enough to persuade city officials to stop shutting off water to residents.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The People's Water Board Coalition has been working on a petition over the summer that has three main goals: stop water shutoffs in Detroit, restore household water to those living without, and implement a water affordability plan.&nbsp;</span></p>Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:21:51 +0000Michigan Radio Newsroom19122 at http://michiganradio.orgPetition aims to stop water shutoffs in DetroitThe week in Michigan politicshttp://michiganradio.org/post/week-michigan-politics-61
<p></p><p>This <em>Week in Michigan Politics, </em>Jack Lessenberry and Emily Fox discuss how&nbsp; Syncora, the biggest opponent in Detroit's bankruptcy trial, has reached a <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/bankruptcy-breakthrough-detroit-reaches-deal-its-fiercest-creditor-foe">tentative agreement</a> with the city. Fox and Lessenberry also discuss <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-suburbs-reach-breakthrough-deal-regional-water-authority">Detroit's new water authority</a>, and what to expect from the legislature in the few weeks before the November election.</p><p>Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:10:36 +0000Emily Fox & Jack Lessenberry19049 at http://michiganradio.orgThe week in Michigan politicsDetroit, suburbs reach breakthrough deal on regional water authorityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-suburbs-reach-breakthrough-deal-regional-water-authority
<p>After months of tense mediation in bankruptcy court, Detroit and suburban leaders have finally reached a deal on the city’s water system.</p><p>The 40-year agreement between the city and Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties will create the Great Lakes Water Authority.</p><p>Under the deal, Detroit will retain ownership of the whole system, and control over city operations.</p><p>The GLWA will lease and operate Detroit water system assets outside city limits. And it will pay Detroit $50 million a year to improve water infrastructure inside the city.</p>Wed, 10 Sep 2014 01:21:01 +0000Sarah Cwiek19047 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit, suburbs reach breakthrough deal on regional water authorityDetroit bankruptcy judge will hear more arguments about water shutoffshttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-bankruptcy-judge-will-hear-more-arguments-about-water-shutoffs
<p>Some Detroit residents and activists are trying to put water shutoffs on hold—again.</p><p>The Detroit water department resumed its residential water shut-off program for delinquent customers this week. It’s trying to collect more than $80 million in back payments.</p><p>The city had put the controversial program on hold for about a month, while holding water assistance fairs and giving those who struggle to pay their bills time to get on payment plans.</p>Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:15:34 +0000Sarah Cwiek18915 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit bankruptcy judge will hear more arguments about water shutoffsDuggan announces $200,000 donation for water assistance fund; shutoffs resume next weekhttp://michiganradio.org/post/duggan-announces-200000-donation-water-assistance-fund-shutoffs-resume-next-week
<p>Detroit officials are trying to boost aid programs for people who struggle to pay their water bills--before the city starts shutting off residential customers again.</p><p>The United Way and the philanthropic arms of Ford and General Motors announced a <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20140818/NEWS01/308180175/Detroit-water-shutoffs-assistance">combined $200,000 in donations to the Detroit Water Fund </a>Monday.</p><p>That fund is designed to help eligible Detroiters pay up to 25% of their delinquent water bill.</p>Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:45:25 +0000Sarah Cwiek18770 at http://michiganradio.orgDuggan announces $200,000 donation for water assistance fund; shutoffs resume next weekThe week in Michigan politicshttp://michiganradio.org/post/week-michigan-politics-59
<p></p><p>This <em>Week in Michigan Politics, </em>Emily Fox and Jack Lessenberry discuss what races and issues to follow before next week's primary election, how Detroit's emergency manager has shifted responsibilities of the city's water department to Mayor Mike Duggan after controversies for <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-has-put-water-shutoffs-pause-not-across-board">water shut offs,</a> and recent <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/last-minute-detroit-looks-community-benefit-guarantees-new-bridge-plan">developments </a>with the new international bridge from Detroit to Windsor, ON.</p><p></p><p>Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:30:08 +0000Jack Lessenberry & Emily Fox18556 at http://michiganradio.orgThe week in Michigan politicsDon't like the water shut-offs in Detroit? Now you can pay someone's overdue water billhttp://michiganradio.org/post/dont-water-shut-offs-detroit-now-you-can-pay-someones-overdue-water-bill
<p>The only time Kristy Tillman could fit in an interview was on her lunch break.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5;">That's because of the insane number of reporters emailing her. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p>“We never expected the press to get so big! We’re just like, oh man. So we decided we’re going to probably limit the time on that today, so we can get real work done.”</p><p>All those reporters want to talk with her about the website she and friend threw online this past Thursday.</p>Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:45:59 +0000Kate Wells18477 at http://michiganradio.orgDon't like the water shut-offs in Detroit? Now you can pay someone's overdue water billDWSD will temporarily halt controversial water shutoffshttp://michiganradio.org/post/dwsd-will-temporarily-halt-controversial-water-shutoffs
<p>The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department will stop shutting off water service to people with unpaid bills. &nbsp;</p><p></p><p>Curtrice Garner is a DWSD spokeswoman. &nbsp;She insists this is a “pause," not a moratorium, to give people time to pay their overdue water bills.</p><p>“What we are going to do is temporarily stop the shutoffs or collections efforts,” says Garner, “However, after the 15 day period, we’ll commerce what we were doing which is shutting off those who are in delinquent status.”</p>Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:50:40 +0000Steve Carmody18453 at http://michiganradio.orgDWSD will temporarily halt controversial water shutoffsNurses rally against water shutoffs, declare "public health emergency" in Detroithttp://michiganradio.org/post/nurses-rally-against-water-shutoffs-declare-public-health-emergency-detroit
<p>Hundreds of protesters gathered near city hall in downtown Detroit Friday, to <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20140718/NEWS01/307180136/">demand the city stop ongoing water shutoffs</a>.</p><p>More than 17,000 Detroit households have had their water shut off for non-payment since March, though many have since had service restored.</p><p>City officials say the shutoffs are a necessary measure, because too many people simply don’t pay their bills--starving the water system of up to $100 million in revenues.</p>Sat, 19 Jul 2014 15:41:37 +0000Sarah Cwiek18438 at http://michiganradio.orgNurses rally against water shutoffs, declare "public health emergency" in DetroitCivil rights groups want to meet with Detroit officials about water crisishttp://michiganradio.org/post/civil-rights-groups-want-meet-detroit-officials-about-water-crisis
<div align="left"><p></p><p></p><p><font face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Civil rights groups are asking to meet with Detroit officials about a controversial water shut-off campaign.</span></font></p><p><font face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ACLU and the NAACP want to meet with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr to find a “fair, humane, and meaningful review process,” which would include adequate notice and a hearing to determine whether individual water customers can’t or won’t pay their bills. </span></font></p>Sat, 19 Jul 2014 15:02:48 +0000Lester Graham18439 at http://michiganradio.orgCivil rights groups want to meet with Detroit officials about water crisisAs Detroit water shutoffs continue, groups look to provide emergency reliefhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-water-shutoffs-continue-groups-look-provide-emergency-relief
<p>Thousands of Detroit residents are without water service right now due to unpaid bills—but social service agencies and community groups are trying to make sure no one goes thirsty.</p><p>The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department cut off service to more than 7500 delinquent account-holders in April and May—and ramped up shutoffs in June.</p><p>Department officials say it’s a necessary step to collect millions of dollars in back payments.</p><p>But critics say it’s caused real suffering, and could lead to a public health crisis.</p>Mon, 07 Jul 2014 10:00:00 +0000Sarah Cwiek18272 at http://michiganradio.orgAs Detroit water shutoffs continue, groups look to provide emergency relief